Machine for inserting metallic fastenings.



No'. 69|,354. Patented Jan. 2l, |902.

v L. A. C ASGRAIN. f MACHINE FOR INSE RT|NG METALLIC FSTENINGS.

(Application led Feb. 15, 189B.)

4 Sheets-Sheet I.

(No Model.)

.2. 0 m m n. a d e t n e t a P m. A R G s A c A. L Am 5 3 Mu. 6 n" N ,MACHINE FUR INSERTING METALLIC FASTENINGS.

(Applimtiun filed Feb. 15. 1898.)

4 Sheets-Sheet 2.

(No Model.)

THE Nonms PETERS co. :mara-uwe., wAsmNmoN, D4 c.

No. 691,354. v Patented Jan. 2|, |902.

` L. A. CASGRAIN.

MACHINE FOB INSERTING METALLIC F'ASTENINGS.

4 Sheets Sheet 3.

(Application le (N0 Model.)

Patented 1an.4 2|, |902.

, |..A. cAsGnm] MAHINE FR INSERTING METALLIC FSTENINGS.

(Application led Feb. 15. 1598.)

4 Sheets-Sheet 4.

(No Model.)

` UNITED STATES PATENT OEEICE.,V

LOUIS A. CASGRAIN, OF WINOHESTER, MASSACHUSETTS, ASSIGNOR, BY MESNE ASSIGNMENTS, TO THE UNITED SHOE MACHINERY COMPANY, A CORPORATION OF NEIV JERSEY.

MACHINE FOR INSERTING METALLIC FASTENINGS.

SPECIFICATION forming- -part of Letters Patent N o. 691,354, dated January 21, 1902.

Application filed February l5, 1898. Serial No. 670.337. (No model.)

the invention are applicable to other types of machines for inserting fastenings.

In the patented machine referred to the fastenings are formed from a Wire carried by and revolving with a continuously-operating spindle, and the Wire acted upon by wirefeeding mechanism has its end inserted in the stock sustained on a horn or stock-support, and the wire is then cut olf substantially iiush with the face of the stock, leaving a fastening therein. The wire-carrying spindle rotates the main shaft of the machine, and said spindle and the cams on the shaft are rotated continuously at ahigh speed, and said cams actuate the Wire-feeding mechanism, the wire-cutting mechanism, and horndepressing mechanism. A lever or device forming part of the Wire-feeding mechanism is acted upon bya face-cam at one side of a hub surrounding the main shaft of the ma-v chine, and said face-cam acts on a roller or other stud of said lever and moves it positively always to a predetermined point in the active stroke of the wi re-feeding mechanism; but the back stroke of said lever, controlled by a spring, is for a greater or less distance, that depending on the thickness of the stock lying on thel horn and between it and the usual nose of the machine, the length of the movement of said lever into the space of said face-cam determining the length of the fastening to be inserted in the stock at the next feeding movement, thus enabling the fastening to be adapted to varying thickness of stock on the horn.

In the machine referred to `.vhenl a shoe has had the proper number of fastenings inserted in the sole thereof and the shoe is ready to be removed from the horn, the operator, Without stopping the spindle and the actuating-cam for the wire-feeding mechanism, moves astop into position to preventthe further feeding of the wire, said stop coming into position to substantially arrest further movement of the lever instrumental in actuating the wire-feeding mechanism at a time when said lever occupies the position to put the grippers or devices which engage the Wire in their depressed position, and thereafter while said stop occupiesits operative position said lever will haveimparted to itbutaslight movement, a movement-insufficient to enable the grippers to rise far enough to again grasp and feed the Wire; but during this suspension of the feeding mechanism of the Wire the cam meets the roller-stud of said lever at each revolution and the cam and roller are both more or less Worn, which is objectionable. In the machine described when it is desired to again start into operation the Wire-feeding mechanism the operator will turn a knee-lever to remove the stop holding the lever of the wire-feeding mechanism in its position described with the grippers at their lowest point, thus releasing said lever and leaving it free to be turned by a spring for a greater or less distance, as the stock on the horn varies in thickness, the spring operating the lever and causing the grippers to slide up for a greater or less distance over the Wire. It has been found in practice, however, owing to the high speed at which the cam for moving said lever is run continuously, that the operator cannot by manual operation move the sto-p and release the lever, so that it will contact with the rapidly-moving cam at the proper point to insure the making of a fastening of the length necessary to unite the stock then resting on the horn, and consequently the first fastening to be inserted in the stock upon starting the machine always varies in length and it is always too short for the stock to be united. I have aimed to overcome this diiiculty by providing means whereby it is possible to automatically control the time of approach of said roller toward its continuously-moving cam or actuator, so that the roller-stud of the lever may contact therewith at exactly the 'proper point to insure the making of the first fastening, when the wire-feeding mechanism is started, of a proper length for the stock to be united, and consequently one part of the invention to be herein described comprehends means to insure the automatic release of the wire-feeding mechanism, so that it may meet and be actuated by the proper part of the rapidly-moving cam or actuator to enable the first feeding stroke of the wire-feeding mechanism to be just sufficient for the production of the first fastening to be made, said f'astening being of exactly the proper length for the thickness of the stock sustained by the horn. Herein I employ a stop to retain the grippers or devices for feeding the wire in their depressed position; but said stop is herein represented as having a suitable incline, which when the stop is moved into its operative position acts positively to impart to the lever of the wire-feeding mechanism a movement greater than the movement imparted to it by its actuatoror cam, and consequently the roller-stud of the lever is entirely rekmoved from contact with the actuator and neither the roller nor the actuator is worn, and the feeding mechanism can consequently be maintained in a position of substantial rest. In this my invention I have managed to so thoroughly control the stopping and starting of the feeding of the wire that I may insert one or any desired number of fastenings, one after another, at any desired intervals of time apart, each and all of proper length, or, in other words, I may control positively the insertion of each and every fastening and stop the machine after driving any fastening and make the next fastening of the proper length.

In the class of machine herein referred to it has been customary to continue in operation the cutting mechanism for severing the wire, notwithstanding the fact that the wirefeeding mechanism had been stopped, and owing to the rapid operations of the machine the cutters are apt to strike one against the other and become thereby dulled or broken, and consequently I have herein made provision to automatically change, modify, or, it may be, stop entirely the operation of the wire-cutting mechanism whenever the feeding of the wire is suspended. In practice the face-cam employed in the machine referred to has a small depression, (said depression being herein retained,) it giving to the lever employed to effect the feeding of the wire a quick start upwardly for an instant just at the completion of the feeding movement of the wire and just as the cutters are operating to sever the wire, said quick start being for a period just long enough to partially release the wire just as the cutting mechanism is operating to cut the same, the temporary releasing of the wire preventing the formation of a head or bur upon the end of the wire. This bur, it will be understood, would be readily formed by the cutter-blades, their edges being beveled, if there were any down- Ward movement whatever given to the Wire during the cutting operation.

I have also in the machine to be herein described provided means whereby the horn may be depressed, no matter what the thickness of the stock, to thereby release the stock from pressure in order that it may be fed; but also I have herein made provision to put the horn automatically in a lower position when the wire-feeding mechanism is stopped and to lock the horn in its lowered position, that the Work may be readily taken off or be applied to the horn. I have also provided the continuously-rotating spindle with novel feeding-grippers, to be described.

The particular features in which my invention consists will be hereinafter more fully described, and specified in the claims at the end of the following specification.

Figure l, in side elevation, represents a suficient portion of a machine for uniting soles to uppers with my improvements in the best form at present known to me added thereto to enable my invention to be understood. Fig. 2 shows in detail the wire-feed-locking block whichI have herein employed in place of the stop referred to in said patent. Fig. 3 is a section of Fig. 2 in the dotted line 0c. Fig. 4 is a section of Fig. l substantiallyin the dotted line m', Fig. 1. Fig. 4a is a detail showing the locking-lever and part of the switch 0r device to be described. Fig. 5 is a det-ail showing the switch or device detached; Fig. 5, a detail of the locking-lever. Fig. 6 is a detail showing part of said switch or device and devices coperating therewith. Fig. 6" is a detail of the plunger fls. Fig. 7 is a detail showing the lever f7 and some of its parts. Fig. 7 shows the movable finger f22 detached. Fig. 8 is an enlarged detail showing part of the sole-feeding mechanism, part of the head being shown in section. Fig. 9, in elevation, shows part of the wire-feeding spindle, its sleeve, and coperating rolls orgrippers; Fig. 9, a detail of the upper end of the spindle, but on a smaller scale; Fig. I0, a longitudinal section thereof. Fig. Il is an under side View of the spindle shown in Fig. 9. Fig. 12 is a section on the line at? of Fig. 10. Fig. 13 shows one of the feeding rolls or grippers detached. Fig. 14 shows a modified form of movable finger which may be used in the wire-cutting train. Fig. l5 shows part of the foot of the column A with some of its treadles.

To simplify the description of the operation of the parts herein described, I will state that the column A, the head or frame part AX, mounted thereon, the main shaft B14, having at one end a worm-gear di and at its opposite end a toothed gear d, which engages a toothed gear d8 on a parallel shaft (17X, the opposite end of said shaft having a IOO IIO

IZO

Ysense-1 I like worm toothed gear d, both of said`gears being engaged by a worm d5 on the exterior of the continuously-rotating spindle A10, having fast upon its upper end the driving-pulley A9, embraced by a continuously-rotating belt supported on the sheaves AS and driven from any suitable power, so that said spindle rotates simultaneously the said two shafts B11 and dix; the cam D17, fast on said shaft B14, constituting a continuously-operating aetuator for the wire-feeding mechanism, and also the cam B13, secured to said shaft and having two toes C and C2, said cam B13 constituting a continuously-operating actuator for the wire-cutting mechanism; the lever C, mounted loosely on a stud B15, said lever having a downwardly extending toe resting against a stop C17, an arm of the said lever having a stud C3, to which is connected a link C5, the lower end of said link being connected by a bolt 116 with an arm C8, having itsA hub split and clamped by ascrew 117 (shown by dotted lines) upon a hollow rod or rockshaft C9, instrumental in moving the carriers or arms 121 and 123, each having a suitable cutter blade or knife 12S; the rod,113, sustained in a yielding manner by a spring 112,

the upper end of said rod acting against the lower side of the lever C, the lower end of said spring resting on a fixed part of the head AX,

the lower end of said rod entering a threaded i nut 114, rotatable in said fixed part of the head; the set-nut 115 to secure said threaded nut iu its adjusted position; the lever B9, having one of its arms extended and provided with a roller o-r other stud B111, said lever being fulcrumed on the stud B15and adapted to be actuated bythe single face of a cam-groove B12, cut in one side of the cam-hub B13, (shown by dotted lines in Fig. 4,) said cam B12 constituting a continuously-operating actuator to depress the horn at the proper time for feeding the stock; the lever e', pivoted at e2 and having at its upper end a roller or other stud e, entering a suitable cam-groove D17X at the rear side of the cam-hub D17, said lever being slotted at its lower end to embrace a suitable stud or device e5, carried by one arm of a lever e6, having at its opposite end a segmental series of teeth 30, engaging a series of teeth in a hub m9, mounted loosely on a shaft m3, said hub having an attached pawl-carrier m19, provided with a pawl m20, which in the reciprocations of said pawl-carrier engages the teeth of a ratchet m30, fast on the shaft m3, on which the said toothed sleeve is mounted loosely; the spring 165 to back up one end of said shaft 'm3, the box m1, in which said shaft m3 is located, the feed-wheel fm', mounted on a stud 15 of said box and deriving its rotation from teeth at the end of the shaft m3, the toothed pinion-like bolt 170 to move the sleeve m1 back and forth to locate the Wheel m at the proper distance from the nose, according to the distance it is desired to insert fastenings from the edge of the sole the yoke D10, embracing loosely the sleeve F of the of the lever D11, the chief lever of the wirefeeding mechanism, it being pivoted at D15 and having an arm provided with a roller or other stud D11, which is acted upon by the cam-face of the hub D11; the stud-screw G1, mounted in one end of the said lever D11 and having connected with it the measuring-leg G3, provided at its lower end with an adjustable nut or shoulder 40; the measuring-rod G', connected with a suitable arm G, extended from the horn-shaft B, free to slide up and down in a sleeve BX, forming part of the column, the horn B having a holder B11o surrounding loosely the upper' end of the hornspindle, so that the horn may be rotated thereon; the spring 100, acting normally to press the roller D16 toward or against the face-cam D17, the stud 103, supporting the devices holding the said spring 100, the bearing D7, the rod B2, connected with the lower end of the horn-spindle, the spring B1, which acts normally to elevate the horn against the under side of the stock to clamp it between itself and the nose f, and two treadles or levers B32 and B3, to a part of which said rod B2 is connected, are and may be all substantially as described in said Patent No. 490,621, so said parts need not be herein further referred to, it being supposed that the improvements now about to be described have been put upon substantially that machine, doing away, however, with some of the parts.

In the patent referred to the lever B9 was -shown as connected directly by a rod with the horn-lever B3; but herein the said lever B9 and the lever B3 are connected by a rod B8, having attached to it a carrier d2, provided with a toothed plate b, engaging ratchetteeth at the upper end of a rod d1", connected to the lever B3, said rods effecting the ldepression of the horn after the insertion of each fastening to enable the stock to be fed over the horn. The connections between the levers B11 and B3 are not herein claimed, as they are made the subject-matter of another application, Serial No. 635,765, filed March 10, 1897.

The hollow spindle A10, receiving the screwthreaded wire, has screwed into it at its lower end a split extension or nose. The sleeve F, surrounding this spindle and raised and lowered for the Wire-feeding operation, is surrounded loosely by theyoke D111, and the lower end of this sleeve is enlarged, as at F, and the lower side of said enlargement is cut out, as at F2, to leave an annular chamber with an inclined wall. This enlargement has connected to it by suitable screws F3 a anged cap or hood F1, presenting an inclined ring supporting the journals k12 of the wheels h111, corrugated at their peripheries to enter the grooves of the threaded wire. There are three of these rolls, and they act to grasp and feed the wire as the sleeve'F is moved downwardly, the journals of the said rolls being at such time acted upon in a'direction to force IOO IIO

the peripheries of said rolls firmly against the wire; but when the said sleeve is raised the pressure of said rolls is quickly released, so that said rolls roll readily along over said wire. The invention herein shown and described is not, however, limited to the use of the particular rolls referred to in the wirefeeding mechanism, and instead I may employ any other usual or suitable wire-feeding grippers as part of the wire-feeding mechanism.

In this invention the lever e is represented as provided with ear 620, having a stud @21, ou which is hung a latch or switch actuator (322, represented as T-shaped-t'. e., it has at one end two oppositely-projecting lugs t t. The lever e' is moved continuously while the driving-shaft operates, whether or not the wirefeeding mechanism, wire-cutting mechanism, or horn-depressing mechanism is operated, and consequently the latch has a constant movement up or down. The latch has a lug f5, which receives a spring f6, attached4 at its opposite end to a leverj"I by a set-screw fg,

said lever and spring constituting what 1 shall hereinafter designate as a regulator,

vsaid regulator being under the control of a movable element represented as a manuallycontrolled treadle fl, arranged in this instance to be moved by the foot of the operator.

The head AX of the machine is provided with a small hub or bearing @23, (shown best in Fig. 1,) it receiving loosely a stud e243 (shown by dotted lines in Fig. 4,) one end of said stud being screwed into a threaded hole c25 in a switch or device shown as a lever 626, said switch or device having two like lugs e27 and e, which are engaged at suitable times by one or the other of the lugs t t of the latch @22, as will be described. The stud e24 constitutes the fulcrum for the switch or device @26. The switch or device e26 has a hole @29, which receives in it a stud e30, fixed to and extended from one side of a hornlowering and locking device esl, said device being herein represented as having at its lower end, below said stud e30, a beveled pit, which receives in it the upper end of a spring-pressed pin @32, said pit being shown by dotted lines in Fig. 4:' and also in Figs. 4a and i. The shank of the said pin andthe spring about said shank normally stand in a hole in an ear 683, represented as projecting fromone side of said switch 626. The levr]c7 has a bored hole fg, which iits loosely over a stud f 10, properly sustained in a part of the head AX, said lever having a heel f12 and two sleeve-like portions f13 and f, each of said portions being bored centrally to a greater or less depth. The part fig of the lever f7 receives in a bore extending but part way through it the upper end of a rod f15, the lower end of which is connected to the rear end of a treadle or manually-controlled element flx, made as a lever of the first order, pivotedat f25 on the base of the column and adapted to be turned by the foot or, it may be, any part of the body of the operator preparatory to starting the machine.

The depression of the frontend of said treadle raises the rod y"15 and turns the regulatorviz. the lever jT and spring f6-about the fulcrum flo, the upward movement of said lever lifting the heel f12 away from the end of a notched plunger or locking device f, located in an extension AX from the frame or head Aand actuated by a spring f1", the said plunger being shown in position in Fig. Gand detached in Fig. 6, letting said spring operate to move said plunger and put a projection flSX at one end thereof quickly under the heel fw. The spring f19 is connected in suitable manner, as by a screw fm, to the lower end of the switch 626. The lug 626x at the lower eX- tremity of the switch normally stands in a notch 210 of the plunger fis. The notch is longer than the width of the lug entering the notch, so that when the shoulder 211 of the plunger stands substantially in contact with the back 212 of the lug 626x, as in Fig. 6, the springf19 as the heel f12 is lifted may slide the plunger ina direction to push it under the elevated heel until the shoulder 213 of the plunger meets the face 214 of said lug. The plunger remains under the heel]m2 until the latch 622 in its upward movement engages the shoulder e27 of switch e2 and moves the switch to the right viewing Fig. 1. As switch e2 moves to the right its projection am engages the plunger and moves it out from under the lieel fw, so that theoperative parts of the machine may be rendered inoperative Whenever the operator desires to stop the insertion of fastenings. As hereinafter more fully explained, the function of this plunger and the heel f is to insure at least one complete operation of the machine when the operator depresses the treadle to start the machine.

The part f14 of the level-f7 is bored at its top to constitute a recess for a spring f, The upper end of this spring acts upon the lower side of the projection AX and serves to turn the lever f7 of the regulator when such movement is permitted, the operator having removed his foot from the treadlefl' and put the heel f1? of the lever f7 against the upper side of said projection AX, said heel in such position engaging the outer end of said plunger. The lever f7 in this latter position occupies what I designate as its inoperative position, the front end of the treadle being at such time elevated and the wire-feeding mechanism, the wire-cutting mechanism, and the horn-depressing mechanism standing in their inoperative positions or at rest, the horn occupying its lowered position. Whenever the front end of the lever f15X preparatory to starting the machine is depressed by the operator the latch-setting device (the lever f7 and springf) is made to put pressure on the latch and push its lug t toward the lug @27 of the switch, this movement taking place at any time; but said lug t' will not meet the lug 627 of the switch until the latch rises.

The upper end of thel switch or device @2G has a slot fm, which receives a lug or projection 2 at the lower end of a lever-like movable finger f22, (see Fig. 7%) said finger f22 being mounted movably on a stud f2s, carried by the lever C, the upper end of said finger having a projection 3, which may be struck when said finger is in its operative position by one and then the other of the toes C and C2. lfVhen the toes act on the projection 3 of said finger, the lever C will be depressed to operate the cutting mechanism and sever the wire. The lever B1 is provided with a locking plate or shoulder e32X, and said plate may be secured to said lever by suitable screws or bolts, so that said shoulder may be engaged by the locking device 631.

The drawings Figs. l and 4 show the parts of the machine in the position they will occupy when the main shaft B14 and its cams and the spindle A10 are running at speed, but with the lever D11, which imparts movement to the wire-feeding mechanism, and the lever B9 for lowering the horn in their stationary inoperative positions with relation to their actuating-cams or continuously-moving actuators, and the finger f22 is also in its inoperative position, so that the cutting mechanism will not operate, and the latch cu2 will be reciprocated in its position shown in Fig. 4; but the lug 1f, it having at onerise of the latch met and turned the switch or device, will not again meet the lug 62S of the switch or device to turn it untilafter the latch has been swung to the opposite side, or to the right viewing Fig, 4, and consequently said switch will remain in the position shown in Fig. 4, and at such time the slot f21 of said switch will hold the end 3 of the finger f22 out of operation, and the lng t' of the latch as it rises will pass inside of the lug e21 of the switch. In the movement of the stop Q9 to the left viewing Figs. 2, 3, and 4 the inclined top surface gmx thereof serves to raise slightly the measuringleg, and through it to turn slightly the lever D14 and withdraw the cam-roll D16 entirely out of engagement with the cam D17. This movement obviates the wear of the cam, which would occurv if the lever D14 were on the stopping of the feeding of the wire merely held in the position in which it was left by the cam at the time the feeding operation was suspended. The block gi has connected to it at one end a rod g8, having at its opposite end a hookedor notched part g?, in which enters a pin or projection g15, carried by the lower end of the switch @26.

It will be understood that the switch or device c26 performs three dierent operations- 1I. e., it determines when the wire-feeding mechanism may be stopped and started, it controls the finger j so that the cutting mechanism may be operated or not operated, and it controls the stopping and starting of the lever B9 for depressing the horn. It will further be observed that the actuation of the latch @22 into position to move the switch 626 to suspend the operation of the wire-feeding mechanism is accomplished by means of the spring f6. It will also be obvious that this spring f6 constitutes a yielding medium in the connections between the treadle and the wire-feeding mechanism. It will further be obvious thatthis spring is an import-ant part of the invention, inasmuch as it insures that while the operator is enabled to depress the treadle at any point in the cycle of operations of the machine the mechanism controlled by the treadle will not become operative until the proper point in the cycle of operations is reached.

In Fig. 14 I have shown the lever O with a modified form of finger, which I will now describe. 'lhe finger 3X, corresponding with the finger 3, hereinbefore lreferred to, is located in the end of the lever C and is adapted to be moved vertically into its operative position by an eccentric p at the upper end of a lever p', said eccentric when in its other extreme lowering said finger sufficiently so that said toes C and C2, although they meet the said finger, do not move the lever C far enough to enable the cutting edge of the cutters to meet, and consequently they will not be dulled.

The operator to start the wire-feeding and other controlled parts of the machine will put his foot on the treadle fm referred to and lift t-he rod f15 and with it the leverfi, turning the heelf12 of said lever upwardly away from the lug]c18 of the plungerfs, and instantly the spring f1, compressed by the switch @2G and occupying the position Fig. G, will be released to throw the said plunger under the said heel and between it and the framework of the headAX, and the plunger will prevent the descentof theleverf7. As the lever f7 is so lifted its spring f6, acting on the latch en, will instantly move the said latch to the right from the position Fig. 4, and the lug t of the latch, if the latter should at such time be on itsdown movement, will strike and slip past the lug 627 and will fly into position under said lug, so that at the next rise of the latch the lng t' will meet the luge27 of the switch and turn the latter in a direction to enable the wire-feeding mechanism and the wire-cutting mechanism to be put instantly into their operative positions, and the horn will be unlocked, so that it may be put under the control of the horn-depressing meehanisnl, which will be operated in usual manner. It will be understood that the switch @26 will be moved only as the latch rises, and the lugs of the lat-ch will meet one or the other lug of the switch only at a predetermined time in the cycle of operations of the machine, so`that when the said parts are to be started they will be started only at the proper time, and itwill be understood that the latch may be moved at. any time bythe opera-y thus placed by the sprin g f12 between the heel f12 of the leverf' and the projection from the cam or head AX, insures the putting of the wire-feeding mechanism and the wire-cutting mechanism into operation and the unlocking of the horn, said mechanisms being continued in operation for one cycle of operations of the machine, even though the operator having depressed the treadle to start the said parts in operation should instantly remove his foot from the treadle, for when the lever is so raised the plunger f18 operates to lock the lever]E7 in its elevated position, and it cannot descend, even if the foot of the operator has been removed from the treadle after having depressed the same, until after the latch has moved the switch, the latter constituting the only means for removing the plunger from under the heelf12, so that the spring f17 may control the lever f7 to depress it and put the latch in a position to stop the operation of the parts referred to. Were it not for the plunger the starting into operation of the parts controlled bythe switch could not be depended upon practically, for the operator might put his foot on the treadle to start the parts at a time when the latch was descending and then might remove his foot quickly, so that the latch, although swung in the direction to put its lug t under the lug @27 of the switch, would fly back into the position Fig. 4, before the latch in rising arrived in position to meet the lug @27, and consequently the switch would not be moved and the ymachine would not lie/started. The operator might sometimes remove his foot from the treadle to start the machine and swing t-he latch just at a time when the latch was rising and its lug was almost in contact with the lug @27, and under such conditions the latch might turn the switch; but a machine not safe-guarded as to the accuracy and certainty of starting it for at least one operation whenever the foot of the operator is removed from the treadle to star-t lthe machine would not be practical. The latch e22 may be turned whenever the le- I ver f2 of said regulator is raised no matter `what the position of the latch or whether it is being moved downwardly or upwardly, and the difference in the time of action of the latch, it operating only in its rising movement, and the time that the operator moves the latch preparatory to starting the machine provides sufficient leeway to enable the manual operation to control the automatic or mechanical operation at a stated time. The said' switch having been moved once by the lugt', the switch or device will remain in that position, while the latch @22 continues to reciprocate, and during such operation the lug t will stop close to the lug @27, but will not again move the switch e2 until after the foot shall have been released from the treadle to enable the first rise of the latch @22, with its lug t un-= der the lug 822 of the switch, the switch is turned, causing the locking device @21 to retire from the locking plate or shoulder 622x, fast on or carried by the lever B2, thus permitting the roller or stud B10 of said lever to come within the range of movement of its actuating cam-surface B12, and at the same instant the slotted part f21 of the switch moves the finger f22 about its pivot f2s, putting its end 3 against the projection 4 of the lever C, so that the toes C and C2 may strike successively said end 3 and depress said lever to operate the cutters to sever the wire, and during the same movement the pin 915 at the lower end of the switch @26, it standing in a notched part Q7 of the rod g8, connected with the feed locking-block, is pushed to the right, viewing Fig.' 4, enabling the nut 40 to drop into the hole g10 in the said block, it on entering the said hole coming upon the top of and being placed immediately under the control of themeasuring-rod G', common to the said patent.

The devices so far described operate i`n such time and order that the switch 626 is moved to let the roller or other stud D1 of the lever D14 for actuating the wire-feeding mechanism contact at rst with some part of the high part of the face-cam D1T between the points 201 and 200 and behind the small depression 202, before referred to, and consequently the roller or other stud D16 of l[he lever D14 in contact with said high part and held there by the action of the spring 100 occupies a position in readiness to enter promptly the cam-recess 203 of the said cam-face or moving actuator for a greater or less distance, that depending on the .thickness of the stock on the stocksupport, and thereby raise the sleeve F and put the devices which grasp and feed the wire in the proper position to start the wire and cause it to enter the stock resting on the horn, the Wire being fed always for just the proper length to adapt itto the thickness of the stock then on the horn, the fastening being made of just the proper length to'pass through the stock.

Should the operator remove his foot from the treadle at any portion of the revolution of the shaft B11, the latch 622 will be instantly moved to the left, and at its next rise it will move the switch @26, so that it will instantly move the feed locking-block into position to catch and sustain the nut 40, this being done when the grippers or feeding mechanism is at its lowest position in its downstroke, and at the same instant the switch turns the projection 3 of the finger f22 aside out of the path of movement of the toes O' and C2 to stop the cutting operation, andv while the roller or other stud B10 is on the highest part of its actuating-cam B12 the locking device 631 immediately slips into and engages the locking plate or-shoulder 622x, keeping the said roller or other stud out of contact with the said cam and leaving the lever B9 at rest.

IOO

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When the operatorlifts the level-f7, so as to start the machine, the end of the plunger is pushed immediately under theheel]12 by the springfl", and immediately the rising latch meets and turns the switch, so that its lower end e26 is moved to meet the opposite side of the notch in said plunger, thus pulling the endf18X out from under the heel f1?, and the switch remains in this position so long as the operator desires to insert fastenings without stopping the machine; but when he desires to stop the macl1ine,which may be done at any fastening, he has only to remove his foot from the starting and stopping treadlefm.

It will be noticed (see Fig. y) that the locking device acted upon by the springpressed pin will stand in its natural position, (see dotted lines,) and in such position the acting end of said locking device will stand out of line with the centers e2* and e30, (seedotted line m3,) the end of said locking device in such position being so located as to easily pass under and so as to readily engage the shoulder of the locking-plate on said lever B9, and thereafter by the continued movement of said switch the end of said locking device is brought into its full-line position, with its outer corner in the line of said centers, thus enabling the said locking device to turn for a slight distance said lever B9 just far enough to remove the roller-stud B10 out from contact with its actuating-cam.

Believing that I am the first to provide means for automatically and positively insuring just the proper length for the rst fastening to be inserted when starting the machine, so that said fastening will be of the length desired, and believing that I am also the first to provide means for lowering the horn automatically and locking it in its lowered position without stopping the continuously-moving actuator of the machine, and also the first to render inoperative the wirecutting mechanism in this class of machines without stopping the continuously-moving actuator, and believing also that I am the rst to apply to or embody in a machine for inserting fastenings suitable means for performing all of these operations at once or for performing any two of them together, I desire to claim each and all of these features of`my invention, broadly, in whatever form they may be embodied, and I desire it to be understood that this invention is not to be limited to the mechanical construction herein shown and described, as my invention may be embodied in many different forms of mechanism.

Herein it will be observed that the camface B12 for acting upon the roller or other stud B10 of the lever B9 instrumental in lowering the horn is a single cam-face, whereas heretofore usually the said roll has entered a cam-groove. By employing this single camface and the latch e231 to engage the locking plate or shoulder carried by said lever B9 whenever the feeding mechanism of the wire is stopped, which may be done after driving each and every nail, if desired, or after driving any desired number of nails, it becomes possible by locking the lever B9 in its highest position, a position a little higher than that in which it is left by the action of the cam @41 on the roll B10, to put the tip of the horn always in its lowest position, a position lower than that occupied ordinarily when the horn is depressed for feeding, as when fastenings are being inserted one after the other in succession. When the horn is at rest and is fully lowered, to enable the stock to be removed from the horn the cam which effected the lowering of the horn continues to rotate, said cam not being stopped at all except when the operatordesires to completely discontinue the use of the machine.

By the term manually-controlled switch or device or manually-controlled latch or manually-controlled lever fI mean devices which occupy during the regular operation of the machine a certain position and which are put into such position by or through a special movement of the operator and that to suspend the action of part of the operative parts of the machine said manually-controlled devices are again moved by the operator entirely independent of and distinct from the cam-shaft of the machine.

The upper side of the locking-block is made of cam shape or inclined, and it is the highest part of said block next its outer or righthand end that acts to fully place the roller or other stud D16 out of the range of the cam projection 202, said cam projection being erected on the cam-hub D17, because said hub is large enough to insure the insertion of two fastenings at each rotation.

In the patent referred to the spool carrying the wire was mounted on a pin made heaviest at its point,and said pin was intended to be kept fully seated by or through centrifugal action; but in practice it has been found that sometimes the operator by care-l lessness fails to push the pin in far enough,

vand when the spindle is started at its rapid speed the pin is thrown out causing much damage. To provide against anyliability of accident due to the failure of properly inserting the pin, I have provided the yoke with a moving contact-piece 85, which is under the control of said pin, and if the pin is not fully inserted, so that its tapered head acts to lift the said moving contact-piece, then the spindle cannot be rotated for the reason that the head of said moving contact-piece will strike against a suitable stop 86, forming a part of a fixed portion of the framework.l

Having described my invention, what I claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent,

1. In a machine for inserting metallic fastenings, mechanism for feeding fastening material; a continuously operating actuator therefor; and manually-controlled, automatically-operated means to remove the feeding IIO mechanism from the controlof its moving acate said horn and its actuator to depress the' horn for feeding the stock; and means to remove the feeding mechanism and horn-depressing mechanism from the control of their actuators to thereby render said feeding mechanism inoperative and put the horn in its lowered position for the removal and application of work.

A machine for inserting metallic fastenings comprising mechanism for severing fastenings from fastening material, a continuously-moving actuatortherefor, and means to remove said severing mechanism from the control of said actuator during repeated operations of the machine.

4. In a machine for inserting metallic fastenings, a continuously-operating actuator; a horn; horn-depressing mechanism operated by said actuator to depress the horn for feeding the stock; and means to remove the horndepressing mechanism from the control of its actuator to lock the horn in lowered position for the removal or application of work.

5. In a machine for inserting metallic fastenings, a cam, a lever actuated thereby and forming part of wire-feeding mechanism, and means under the control of the operator and adapted to be operated automatically to remove said lever entirely from the influence of its actuating-cam leaving the cam in operation with the feeding mechanism entirely at rest.

6. In a machine for inserting metallic fastenings, a cam, a lever actuated thereby, said lever forming part of Wire-feeding mechanism; means to determine the extent of movement of said lever by its actuating-cam according to variations in thickness of stock being operated upon; and means under the control of the operator to automatically remove said lever entirely from the influence of its actuating-cam leaving the cam in operation with the feeding mechanism entirely at rest.

7. In a machine for inserting metallic fastenings, mechanism for severing fastenings from fastening material, a continously-operating actuator to operate said mechanism, a horn, horn-depressing mechanism, a continuously-operating actuator to actuate the same to depress the horn during feeding of the stock; and means under the control of the operator to suspend the action of the said severing mechanism and to lock the horn in its lowered position for the removal of the work, said actuator continuing in motion.

8. A wire-carrying spindle provided with a movable contact-piece; combined with a stop against which said contact-piece may strike to prevent the rotation of the spindle.

9. Ina machine of the class described, wirecutting mechanism; a lever having a movable projection or linger; a cam tomove said lever; connections between said lever and said cutting mechanism; and a switch under the control of the operator to turn said projection into its inoperative position with relation to said cam to suspend the operation of the cutting mechanism while the cam continues to operate.

10. In a machine for inserting metallic fastenings formed from continuous wire, wirefeeding mechanism and an actuator therefor, means to remove the wire-feeding mechanism from the control of its actuator and means to put the wire-feeding mechanism again under the control of its actuator at a time to insure the formation of a fastening of proper length.

1l. In a machine for inserting metallic fastenings,arotatingspindle,wirefeedingmechanism, means actuated by said spindle to operate said Wire-feeding mechanism, means to render inoperative said Wire-feeding mechanism while the spindle continues to operate, and means to start again said Wire-feeding mechanism ata time to insure the formation of a fastening of proper length.

12. In a machine for inserting metallic fasteniugs,a rotatingspindle,wire-cutting mechanism, means actuated by said spindle to operate said Wire-cuttin g mechanism,and means to render inoperative said wire-cutting mechanism while the spindle continues to operate.

13. In a machine for inserting metallic fastenings, a horn, a rotating spindle, mechanism actnated by said spindle to lower the horn periodicallyto allow the work to be fed, and means to render inoperative said mechanism While the spindle continues to operate.

14:. In a machine for inserting metallic fastenings, a rotating spindle, a reel on said spindle, a pin to hold said reel in position, and means to prevent the rotation of said spindle when the pin is in an improper position.

15. In a machine for inserting metallic fastenings, a horn, a driving-shaft, and means under the control of the workman operated automatically by said driving-shaft to lower the horn and leave it in lowered position without stopping the driving-shaft.

16. In a machine for inserting metallic fastenings, a horn, a rotating wire-carrying spindle, and means deriving their movement from said spindle to effect the lowering of the horn and maintain it in lowered position without stopping the spindle. p

17. In a machine for inserting metallic fastenings, mechanism for feeding fastening material,` mechanism for severing fastenings from said fastening material, and means under the control of the operator to render inoperative said feeding mechanism and severing mechanism while other parts of the machine continue in operation.

1S. In a machine for inserting metallic fastenings, mechanism for feeding fastening material, mechanism for severing fastenings IOO from saidfastening material, horn-depressing mechanism, and means to render inoperative the feeding and severing mechanisms and to lock the horn in lowered position while other parts of the machine continue in operation.

19. In a machine for inserting metallic fastenings formed from wire, wire-feeding mechanism, horn-depressing mechanism, and a device having attached means to suspend the operation of said wire-feeding mechanism and depress and lock the horn in its lowered position, and means to control the operation of said device whereby it may be actuated to suspend the operation of the kwirefee ling mechanism and lower and lock the horn at a predetermined point in the cycle of operations of the machine.

20. In a machine for inserting metallic fastenings formed from wire, wire-feeding mechanism, horn-depressing mechanism, a continuously-moving actuator for said mechanism, a device to control the operation of said wirefeeding mechanism and horn depressing mechanism, means to actuate said device to suspend the operation of the wire-feeding mechanism and lower and lock the horn at a predetermined point in the cycle of operations of the machine, and means to actuate said device to start the wire-feeding mechanism and raise the horn at a4 predetermined timein the cycle of operations of the machine.

21. In amachine for inserting metallic fastenings, a horn, a driving-shaft, means under the control of the workman operated automatically by said shaft to lower the horn, and a locking device to engage said horn-lowering means and lock the horn in lowered position for the removal of work while the said driving-shaft continues to rotate.

22.l In a machine for inserting metallic fastenings formed from wire, means to caliper the stock automatically, said means including a horn, wire-feeding mechanism to feed the wire automatically a varying distance to correspond with the thickness of the stock, a device coperating with said wire feeding mechanism and with said stock-calipering mechanism to suspend the action of the wirefeeding mechanism and lock it in inoperative posi-tion and to lock a member of the calipering means in its position for the removal of the stock from the horn While the main shaft of the machine'continues to rotate.

23. In a machine for inserting metallic fastenings formed from wire, means to automatically caliper the stock, said means including a horn, wire-feeding mechanism to feed the wire automatically a varying distance to correspond with the thickness of the stock, a devicecoperating with said wire-feeding mechanism and with said stock-calipering mechanism to suspend the action of the wire-feeding mechanism and lock itin inoperative position and to lock a member of the calipering means in its position for the removal of the stock from the horn while the main shaft of the machine continues to rotateand means to release' both the feeding mechanism and the calipering means permitting the feeding mechanism and said calipering means to become again operative at a predetermined time in the cycle of operations of the machine to thereby insure that the rst fastening formed shall be of the full length required for the thickness of the stock.

24. A horn, a lever, connections between the horn and lever, a cam to move said lever positively to lower the horn for feed ing, means acting normally to raise the horn to clamp the stock after feeding, and a device under the control of the operator and arranged to be operated without stopping the cam to cause said lever to lower the horn farther than for feeding to thereby enable the work to be removed from the horn.

25. A horn, a lever, connections between the horn and lever, a cam to move said lever positively in one direction to lower the horn -for feeding, means acting normally to raise the horn to clamp the stock after feeding, and a device under the control of the operator and arranged to be operated without stopping the cam to remove the lever from the control of its actuating-cam lower the horn farther than for feeding, and leave the horn in lowered position during repeated operations of the cam.

26. A rotating wire-carrying spindle having a split extension, a surrounding sleeve having an incline, and an inclined ring secured to the lower end of said sleeve; combined with a series of grippers having their journals supported by said ring and acted upon by said incline, said grippers entering the spaces in the split extension.

27. In a machine of the class described, a wire-carrying spindle, a sleeve having an ineline, combined with a series of feeding-rollers, means connected with said spindle to sustain said rollers, said incline causing said rollers to engage and feed the wire.

28. In a machine of the class described, a spindle having a split extension, a sleeve surrounding said spindle and providedl with an inclined wall and an inclined ring, and a series of feed-rollers having integral journals supported between said inclined wall and ring, and means to move said sleeve vertically on said spindle, said sleeve when depressed causing its inclined wall acting through said journals to force the peripheries of the said feed-rollers against the wire to grasp and feed the wire.

29. Inamachine of the class described,wire feeding mechanism, a device coacting therewith to suspend the operation of said feeding mechanism, a manually-controlled regulator to determine the time of action of said device,

and a locking device to hold said regulator.

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coacting therewith to depress the horn and lock the same in its depressed position, a manually-controlled regulator to determinerthe time at which the horn is to be depressed and locked, and a locking device to hold said regulator in its operative position.

3l. In a machine of the class described, the lever f7 having a heel, a treadle for elevating said lever, and a plunger for locking said lever in its elevated position.

32. In a machine of the class described, a notched plunger, asuitable guide for it, and the switch having a projection to enter said notch, combined With a spring for moving said plunger in one direction, the switch moving it in the opposite direction.

33. In a machine of the class described, the lever having a heel and adapted to be lifted by a treadle, a plunger to lock said lever in its elevated position, means to Withdraw said plunger at a defined point in the cycle of operations of the machine after the foot of the operator has been released from the treadle, and a device to depress the lever after the withdrawal of the plunger.

34. A cam, and means to actuate the cam, a stock-support, a mechanism, connection between the mechanism and the stock-support, and means to move the mechanism into position to be forced by the cam to operate the connection to move the stock-support, and means to move the mechanism out of said position.

35. In a machine of the class described, a wire-carrying spindle, a sleeve on said spindle, said sleeve having an inclined interior surface, and said sleeve and said spindle being movable one with relation to the other, wire-feed rolls having journals adapted to contact with said inclined surface, and means to change the relative positions of said spindle and said sleeve whereby said feed-rolls are caused to grip and feed the wire.

36. In a machine for inserting metallic fastenings formed from continuous Wire, Wirefeeding mechanism, an actuator therefor, means to remove said Wire-feeding mechanism from the control of its actuator, meansv to put the wire-feeding mechanism again under the control of its actuator at a time to insure the formation of a fastening of proper length, and means to insure at least oneeomplete operation of the machine.

37. In a machine of the class described, a continuously-rotating spindle, Wire-feeding mechanism, Wire-'cutting mechanism, means for actuating the same, means to suspend the operation of said feeding mechanism and Wire-cutting mechanism while the spindle continues in operation, and means under the control of the operator to start said Wire-feeding and wire-cutting mechanism into operation at a lpredetermined time in the cycle of operation of the machine.

38. In a machine for inserting metallic fastenings, a continuously-rotating Wire-carrying spindle, wire-feeding mechanism, Wirecutting mechanism, horn-depressing mechanism, means for actuating the said mechanisms, and means to suspend the operation of said Wire-feeding mechanism, Wire-cutting mechanism, and horn-depressing mechanism While the rotation of said spindle is continued, and means under the control of the operator to start said Wire-feeding, Wire-cutting, and horn-depressing mechanisms at a predetermined time in the cycle of operations of the machine.

39. `Mechanism for feeding fastening material, a continuously-moving actuator, a stop to hold said feeding mechanism in its inoperative position, and an automatically-operated device under the control of the operator to Withdraw said stop and release said feeding mechanism permitting it to be put immediately under the control of its actuator.

40. In a machine for inserting metallic fastenings, a horn, stock-feeding means, mechanism to depress the horn While the feeding means is operative, and means under the control of the operator to put automatically said horn-depressingY mechanism in inoperative position and lower the horn forthe removal of the Work Without stopping the machine.

41.- In a machine for inserting metallic fastenings, a driving-shaft, a horn, and means under the control of the operator and operated by said driving-shaft to lower the horn automatically and hold it in lowered position Without stopping the driving-shaft.

42. In a machine for inserting fastenings, mechanism for feeding fastening material, an actuator therefor, and means, including a yielding medium, arranged to be operated Without stopping said actuator for suspending the operation of said feeding mechanism While the actuator continues in operation.

43. In a machine for inserting fastenings, mechanism for feeding fastening material, an actuator therefor, and spring-actuated means arranged to be operated without stopping the said actuator for suspending the operation of said feeding mechanism While the actuator continues in operation.

44. In a machine for inserting fastenings, a Work-support, means for inserting fastenings, actuating mechanism therefor, and means for suspending the insertion of fastenlings and for depressing the Work-support and leaving it in lowered position While said actuating mechanism continues in operation.

45. In a machine for inserting fastenings, a work-support, means for inserting fastenings, actuating mechanism therefor, means for suspending the insertion of fastenings and for depressing the Work-support and leaving it in lowered position While said actuating mechanism continues iu operation, and means for raising-the Work-support when fastenings are to be inserted.

46. In a machine for inserting fastenings, a driving-shaft, a Work-support, mechanism for feeding fastening material, and means name to this specification in the presence of under the control of the operator to suspend two subscribing Witnesses.

the operation of said feeding mechanism lower the Work-support and leave the Wofk LOUIS A. CASGRAIN' 5 support in loweredposition While lche driving- Witnesses:

shaft continues in operation. GEO. V. GREGORY,y

In testimony whereof I have signed my l EDITH M. STODDARD. 

